An update is available in Windows to turn off directory notification SMB requests

This article describes an update to Microsoft Windows XP and Microsoft Windows 2000 where you can turn off the directory notifications that are used by Windows Explorer (Explorer.exe). Explorer.exe uses directory notifications that post NTNotifyDirectoryChange server message blocks (SMBs) to the server. Directory notifications allow the server to notify the client computer when information changes in files and folders that are located on shared folders on the server.

In certain situations, you may want to turn off Change Notify requests that are used by Explorer.exe on the client computer. For example, you may want to turn off Change Notify requests when you want to reduce traffic on the network.

Windows XP

Service pack information

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Microsoft Windows XP. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Hotfix information

A supported feature that modifies the default behavior of the product is available from Microsoft. However, this feature is intended to modify only the behavior that this article describes. Apply this feature only to systems that specifically require it. This feature might receive additional testing. Therefore, if the system is not severely affected by the lack of this feature, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this feature.

If the feature is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the feature.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific feature. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the feature is available. If you do not see your language, it is because the feature is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

This hotfix requires Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1).

Restart requirement

You must restart your computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.

Windows XP

Windows XP, 64-bit editions

Windows 2000

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

This hotfix requires Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 or Service Pack 4..

Restart requirement

You must restart your computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.

After you install the hotfix that is described in this article, add the NoRemoteChangeNotify registry entry to one of the following registry keys (depending on your situation), and then set the value of the registry entry to 1.

Warning If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

• To apply the setting to the user who is currently logged on, add the NoRemoteChangeNotify registry entry to the following registry key:
  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
• To apply the setting to all users who log on to the computer, add the NoRemoteChangeNotify registry entry to the following registry key:
  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

When you set the value of the NoRemoteChangeNotify registry entry to 1, you turn off remote Change Notify requests for file and folder changes that occur in folders of a mapped network share. To turn on remote Change Notify requests, set the NoRemoteChangeNotify registry entry to 0 (zero).

Turn off Change Notify requests for only the user who is currently logged on

1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit in the Open box, and then click OK.
2. Locate, and then click the following registry key:
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
3. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.
4. Type NoRemoteChangeNotify, and then press ENTER.
5. On the Edit menu, click Modify.
6. Type 1 in the Value data box, and then click OK.
7. Quit Registry Editor.

Turn off Change Notify requests for all users

1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit in the Open box, and then click OK.
2. Locate, and then click the following registry key:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
3. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.
4. Type NoRemoteChangeNotify, and then press ENTER.
5. On the Edit menu, click Modify.
6. Type 1 in the Value data box, and then click OK.
7. Quit Registry Editor.

For additional information about standard terminology that is used to describe Micrososft software updates, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: